The University of Portsmouth has been awarded £35,000 to work with The Water Mill in Calbourne on the Isle of Wight - one of the oldest working water mills in the UK.
The project, funded by Innovate UK and Geo Weeks and Sons LTD, a family run business who own the historic water mill, aims to develop the tourism potential of the mill and contribute to the growth of the local economy. It runs from January 2023 until the end of March 2023 and is part of an Innovate UK Accelerated Knowledge Transfer to Innovate (AKT2I) project.
The Water Mill dates back to the 1086 Domesday Book. It is the only working water mill on the Isle of Wight and as well as providing a working museum for visitors, mills flour and oats. As well as the museum, the rural site offers holiday accommodation in the old mill house, cottages and eco lodges.
The project will include an analysis of the current business operation and the development of a strategy to increase income across the Mill's revenue streams. The funding provides for a dedicated business associate to work with the company to develop the business plan.
Sally Chaucer, Managing Director of The Water Mill said: "We see this award as part of a longer-term association with the University and hope that together, with the University and the Island's community, we are able to build a sustainable future for The Water Mill and the Island."
The project is a result of the University of Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Council's Business Boost programme, a free business support programme offered to all businesses on the Isle of Wight. Having attended the programme, Sally Chaucer was supported by the University to apply for funding.
Sarah Turnbull, Professor of Marketing in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth, said: "We're very excited about working with such an historic business. The project will include an analysis of the current business operation and the development of a strategy to increase income across the Mill's revenue streams. The funding provides for a dedicated business associate to work with the company to develop the business plan."
We see this award as part of a longer-term association with the University and hope that together, with the University and the Island's community, we are able to build a sustainable future for The Water Mill and the Island.
The University of Portsmouth has close business links with the Isle of Wight. Last year, it signed a new partnership agreement with Ryde Town Council to help raise the regional and national profile of both the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.
The agreement covers areas of mutual interest such as addressing educational inequalities, finding solutions to environmental issues and supporting sustained economic growth in the region.
As part of the agreement, the University of Portsmouth is delivering the first-ever 'Help to Grow: Management Course' on the Island. Delivered in collaboration with industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs, the Help To Grow: Management Course includes 12 weeks of in-depth training, 1:1 business mentoring to help apply learnings, and the opportunity to grow business fast.
To celebrate the winning of the Innovate UK award, Calbourne Water Mill has offered all University of Portsmouth staff and students up to 20% discount on The Water Mill's accommodation. This includes the mill cottages, eco lodges, camping and glamping accommodation. Staff members should quote the code UOPMill to receive their discount.
